OGLESBY—Patricia A. “Patty” Hart, age 59, of Oglesby, formerly of Ottawa, passed away Monday, April 17, 2017 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria after a long courageous battle with cancer.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday at Gladfelter Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Pastor Jason Sprinkel officiating. Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Friday. Pallbearers will be Jon VanZuiden, Gavin Jonassen, Leah (Alderman) Thompson, Matt Thompson, Lloyd Ludwig and Howard Tuttle. Honorary Pallbearers will be Chas Alderman and Gary and Rob Dickison.
Patty was born July 31, 1957 to Bergen D. and Irene (Shapcott) McNeeley. She was raised by her mother and father, Sheldon Cox, along with her only sister Kathy (Gary) Dickison. She married Thomas Hart on June 5, 1981. They would have celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary this year. She was a loving and devoted wife. Surviving are her husband Tom; daughter, Rhonda (Jon)Hart VanZuiden of Oglesby; son, Christopher “Chris” Hart of Morris; sister, Kathy (Gary) Dickison of Morris; grandchildren, Gavin Jonassen, Maddie and Gracie VanZuiden; a niece, Leah (Alderman) Thompson and nephew, Chas Alderman. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, maternal and paternal grandparents.
Patty was a member of Oglesby Union Church. The greatest joys in her life were her grandchildren and her niece and nephew. She loved going to baseball games, watching gymnastics or just going to school functions with them. Patty had a heart that only gave. She spent years sending packages for our troops. She orchestrated collecting the items, packing with the assurance that there was a letter in each box, and shipping the packages to the troops. She was a friend when there was a friend needed. She always thought of others before herself. She loved feeding the birds, deer and whatever else wandered in her yard. Patty will be greatly missed by her family, friends and close neighbors.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family for a memorial to be designated at a later date.
Patty has been laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.